FitzGerald, Kearney and Brown speak at Yankee Kitchen

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, a Democratic candidate for governor, said he chose state Senate Minority Leader Eric Kearney as his lieutenant governor running mate because he is “universally respected” and “still manages to be effective” in state government despite Democrats being outnumbered 22-11 in the Senate.

FitzGerald, Kearney and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown spoke briefly today at the Yankee Kitchen in Boardman about the ticket — FitzGerald announced his selection of Kearney on Wednesday — while criticizing the leadership of Republicans, particularly Gov. John Kasich, a Republican who is seeking re-election next year.

FitzGerald pointed out that the state’s unemployment rate increased to 7.5 percent in October, up 0.1 from the previous month, according to state numbers released today.

Also, Kearney of Cincinnati, D-9th, said he would step down in about two weeks as Senate minority leader to focus on the campaign. He said he wants state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, the current assistant minority leader, to succeed him. Schiavoni, who was at the rally, said he wants the appointment.

There were about 75 people at today’s rally. That included several elected officials and Democratic Party loyalists.